Challenge
The FAA issued a last-minute regulation to impose flight restrictions on Pearson Field, an important and historic airport in downtown Vancouver. The regulation was set to take effect within a month and would have shut down operations at one of the oldest continuously operating airfields in America that played a military role in World War I and II. A dirigible landed there in 1905.
Approach
CFM worked with the City of Vancouver, the Oregon and Washington congressional delegations, the Port of Portland and the FAA to ensure all parties understood Pearson’s critical role in the region and its long track record of safe operations.
Success
Within days, working with stakeholders, FAA headquarters in D.C. was persuaded to delay implementation of strict regulations that would have significantly hampered operations at Pearson. One month later, the delay was made permanent.